# @americanredcross on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CyRCF9LpTFS
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/9306352-americanredcross-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/a0961e8b12.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-10-11T17:00:36.000+00:00

## Caption

"They said if it wasn't for Stephanie, I wouldn't have made it. I am just so fortunate that she was around."

Wojciech Wilczynski had plans to complete a 10-mile run one Saturday morning in preparation for a marathon but only reached the first mile before he collapsed on the trail. Wojciech's running partner didn't have a cell phone on him and started yelling out for help.

That's when another runner, Stephanie Koklys, heard the panicked calls and ran over to call 911. Stephanie hadn't taken a lifesaving course in a long time, but the dispatcher talked her through what to do. She performed CPR for eight minutes until EMS arrived.

"I just remember thinking, 'This is happening, this is happening right now,'" Stephanie said. "I was just in automatic mode."

Wojciech woke up in the hospital a few days later. He was diagnosed with a genetic coronary heart disease, for which he never had any symptoms. As he continued to recover in the hospital for two weeks, Wojciech's family kept in touch with Stephanie, letting her know his progress.

"This experience really just opened my eyes to the idea that no one is really a stranger," Stephanie said. Wojciech doesn't remember anything from that morning on the trail. "I don't even remember how I drove there," he said. But he will never forget the kindness of a stranger, who he now calls a friend. ❤️

Stephanie was awarded the Red Cross Certificate of Extraordinary Personal Action by RedCrossIL, which is given to those who step up in an emergency situation and help save or sustain a life. She now plans to refresh her CPR skills by taking a class and encourages others to do the same. 🙌🏼🙌🏾

#LifesavingAwards #CPR #SCAAMonth #CardiacArrest #RedCross

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 237
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## Tags

cpr, scaamonth, lifesavingawards, redcross, cardiacarrest

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